Episode 339- How Grand Rapids Builds Talent And Health. With Rick Baker

Health care is not just a line item for employers, it’s a defining force in whether a region can grow, attract talent, and stay competitive. From the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, we sit down with Rick Baker of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce to connect the dots between community investment and the health care systems that keep West Michigan working. We talk about what the Chamber actually does across 3,100 member businesses, then zoom in on what makes Grand Rapids “sticky” for graduates and early-career workers. Rick shares how quality-of-life investments and higher education partnerships help employers recruit and retain, and why hospitals and health systems are true community assets. We also explore the region’s long-term goal of becoming a destination city for health care, including the growth of the Medical Mile and the role of major institutions like Corewell Health, Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, and the Van Andel Research Institute. Then we get candid about the toughest issue: rising health care costs and the real impact on employer benefits and workforce decisions. We close with a hopeful shift, discussing how COVID-era awareness accelerated more open conversations about mental health and why “above the neck” care must be aligned with physical health to support whole-person outcomes. Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who cares about Michigan health care, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Support the show Engage the conversation on Substack at The Common Bridge!